Data loss through cyber attacks decreased sharply in 2010, but the total number of breaches was higher than ever, according to the “2011 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report,” which officially launched today. According to the report, the seeming contradiction between the low data loss and the high number of breaches likely stems from a significant decline in large-scale breaches, caused by a change in tactics by cybercriminals. They are engaging in small, opportunistic attacks rather than large-scale, difficult attacks and are using relatively unsophisticated methods to successfully penetrate organizations. For example, only 3 percent of breaches were considered unavoidable without extremely difficult or expensive corrective action.

This is an exclusive podcast with Chris Porter, Senior Risk Analyst at Verizon Business about the report.